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2013 Rush Fest is Underway!

Last Updated on Tuesday, 06 August 2013 12:04

The 2013 Rush Festival is underway in Colorado! Nearly 800 players, parents and coaches packed the ballroom of the host hotel for the opening ceremonies. Master of ceremonies Brian Lux got the players fired up (though it was quite unnecessary as the hotel has been ringing with Rush cheers for the past 24 hours!). After a great video highlighting Rush alums, coaches were introduced and game day 1 opponents were announced. The players were treated to a guest appearance by Colorado Rapids player Shane O'Neill who came and talked about his time as a pro and encouraged the players to cheer him on when the Fest attends the Rapids game on Wednesday night. All player were challanged to the task of winning the Rush Fest Spirit Award - a trophy, that according to Lux, has been blessed by a Cameroonian Cheiftan and will bring luck to those who earn it!

Easily the highlight of the day came as another Rush Fest first. So Cal Rush Technical Director Lucas Kim, with some pre planning with Lux, came up and grabbed the microphone, chatted up the crowd for a few minutes, then invited his girlfriend Alejandra Flores (another So Cal Rush coach) up on stage. After giving the crowd some background on their relationship, Lucas dropped to one knee, the room exploded with cheers, Lucas proposed, and Alejandra said yes (hopefully not just to appease the hundreds of players shouting 'Say Yes! Say Yes!') Certainly a festive start to what is sure to be a fantastic week of soccer.

38 teams are in attendance (the most ever). 37 are from domestic Rush clubs (though have come from near and far). One club, Bahamas Rush, also mark the first international Rush club to attend the Fest!